NBA Picks: Indiana Pacers vs. New York Knicks, Game 5

Carmelo Anthony and J.R. Smith are shooting a combined 33 percent over their last seven games, which is important to consider when making your NBA picks on Thursday as the New York Knicks try to avoid elimination against the Indiana Pacers at Madison Square Garden.

Sports bettors will find that the Knicks are 4.5-point home favorites in the pro basketball odds (courtesy of SBR Forum), while the total sits at 179 in the market.

Let's take a closer look at Game 5 of this Eastern Conference semifinal series from a betting perspective, while offering up an against-the-spread pick along the way.